Chapter 28 He Hasn't Had a Drink of Water Yet After Getting Engaged

Zuifang Pavilion.

As soon as Yun Xi entered the door, she heard a cough coming from inside. She walked in with her skirt lifted up. Emperor Wei, Prime Minister Xie and General Xie were all there.

The Emperor of Wei was sitting on the couch. He had just drunk some wine, but as he was old he could not handle it any more, so he had to stop and rest for a while every once in a while.

He brought the imperial physician with him when he left the palace. It was the same one that Yun Xi had asked to treat Ji Xun's injury last time. This imperial physician was highly skilled in medicine and had been with the Emperor of Wei for many years.

"Your Majesty's health is good now, so you should rest more."

The Emperor of Wei was used to hearing those polite words asking him to take care of his health. He waved his hand, letting him go, and then looked at Yun Xi who had just entered: "Xi'er, come to your father."

Under the gaze of the three people, Yun Xi came to the bed of Emperor Wei and knelt down. Emperor Wei held her hand affectionately.

"In the blink of an eye, my Xi'er has grown up so much." The Emperor of Wei smiled faintly, "It's a pity that my father's health has been getting worse recently. I'm afraid I won't be able to see the day when Xi'er gets married."

The Emperor of Wei spoke in a low, rather heavy voice. Yun Xi lowered her head and listened, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

She knew that her father's health was getting worse day by day. Although he had rarely been with her since she was born and was usually very serious, Yun Xi still had some feelings for him.

After all, he was her father who had protected her for eighteen years. Without him, she wouldn't have the life she has today. Over the years, he had given her the best things in the world: wealth, glory, and precious treasures. To her, they were just a passing thought.

"What are you talking about, father?" Yun Xi held his hand and put it against her face. "I just celebrated my eighteenth birthday. I hope you live a long life."

The Emperor of Wei smiled and coughed a few times: "You know you are eighteen years old. When other princesses are your age, their children can already walk."

"In fact, I also hope that you will marry later and stay by my side more often. However, I have told you before that I have no children and have always wanted a crown prince. The six concubines in the harem were not up to the task and failed to give me a son. Over the years, your uncles have been eyeing my position."

The Emperor of Wei said earnestly, "I would rather your children inherit the throne than give up the throne to them."

Imperial family disputes were always brutal. When the Emperor of Wei was young, he fought his way out of a group of his brothers. His path to the throne was paved with the blood of countless people, and he had already offended all of his brothers.

He is the emperor, and more importantly, a man of dignity. He had worked so hard to obtain this position in his youth. If he had to give it up to someone else just because he had no children, wouldn't he be laughed at after his death?

Moreover, if power fell into the hands of others, his concubines and daughters would not have a good ending.

"I know that you have a kind nature and will not get involved in court affairs, but among all the princesses, you are the only one I trust the most. After you give birth to the crown prince, I will send someone to protect you." The Emperor of Wei said, looking at Prime Minister Xie and General Xie beside him.

"Prime Minister Xie has devoted his entire life to the Great Wei, and has walked through half my political career with me. He is truly a rare loyal minister, both brave and resourceful, and his family is filled with talented individuals. After I am gone, I will appoint him as Regent to protect you and your son."

"Xi'er, I want to marry you to Xie Zhao, the second son of the Xie family. Are you willing?"

Yun Xi pinched the hem of her skirt, lowered her head and said nothing.

The Emperor had already spoken, so could this matter be resolved simply by her willingness? The presence of both Prime Minister Xie and General Xie here today meant they had already discussed this privately.

Prime Minister Xie is indeed a loyal minister of the Great Wei, and he wholeheartedly stands on the side of his father. In addition, the Zhenxi Army led by General Xie is working together from inside and outside. With the protection of these two people, as long as she does her job obediently, she will have no worries for the rest of her life.

In this blameless marriage, the only sacrifice was her happiness.

In the original novel, she resisted the marriage and eventually became a princess of a fallen country.

"Since your Majesty has taken a liking to Second Young Master Xie, I believe in your judgment." Yun Xi pursed her lips and said.

The Emperor of Wei pondered for a moment. He thought she would refuse to marry and was prepared to explain the pros and cons to her, but he didn't expect that she would be surprisingly obedient.

"Xi'er, you've finally grown up." The Emperor of Wei was quite pleased, a smile on his face. "In that case, I'm relieved. Xie Zhao is in the Prime Minister's Mansion today, perhaps in Baihua Garden right now. You should go meet him."

Prime Minister Xie smiled faintly and said, "Princess, please rest assured. If you are willing to marry me, the Xie family will treat you as our own and will never allow anyone to bully you in the slightest."

Yun Xi smiled stiffly in return, pinching her sleeves awkwardly, "Father, I will take my leave."

When she walked out of Zuifang Pavilion, Yun Xi was still a little dazed. Looking at the blue sky and white clouds outside, she was a little bit unable to believe it.

“…”

Is she going to get married just like that?

But there is no better choice than this.

Forget it. Xie Zhao might not like her anyway. They could be husband and wife in name only for their common interests.

As for the child…she hasn’t figured out how to have intimate contact with a man yet.

Because she had read the original novel, she had a natural resistance to the approach of strange men, and she was unable to have close contact with Xie Zhao for the time being.

The more she thought about it, the more upset she became. Yun Xi put the matter aside for the time being. She subconsciously looked for Ji Xun, but she didn't see him nearby.

Just as she was about to go to Baihua Garden to look for him, Ji Xun found her along the path, and the two met on a deserted stone path.

Yun Xi was stunned for a moment, then saw him walking slowly towards her, pushing aside the branches of flowers extending from the roadside, holding in his hand a branch of blooming peach blossoms, extremely bright red.

These are the flowers from the exotic peach trees that were tributed from elsewhere, and they are still blooming brilliantly in this season.

The peach blossom was handed to her, and a cold, low voice sounded above her head: "These are the flowers that His Highness requested."

She just made up an excuse to let him go for a walk by himself. After all, there were many important people in the Xie Mansion today, and he might encounter some opportunities.

But he actually went to pick it.

The peach blossom seemed to have been cut off by a knife. The broken end was smooth and sharp, but the flowers on the branch were not damaged at all.

Last time I asked him to choose a peony, he said he didn't know which one was the most beautiful. Today, he has made a lot of progress.

Yun Xi chuckled, her depressed mood finally improved. She took the peach blossom and put it to her nose to sniff.

A light and refreshing floral fragrance. Perhaps because Ji Xun had stayed under the tree for too long, she could vaguely smell a hint of peach blossom scent on him.

Yun Xi could already imagine him standing alone under the peach tree, carefully selecting the blossoms.

She smiled, but out of the corner of her eye she suddenly noticed that the corner of his clothes was slightly dirty, as if stained with blood.

Yun Xi's eyelids twitched: "You got hurt climbing a tree?"

She pulled the corner of the clothes, and Ji Xun let her pull it, walked forward a few steps, and lowered his body to get closer to her.

After noticing what she was pointing at, he said indifferently, "This belongs to Miss Xie. I had a discussion with him."

Yun Xi: “???”

"Why are you and Xie Yange..."

She had just left for less than a quarter of an hour when Ji Xun had already finished fighting with Xie Yange.

"No one else saw it, right? Why did you spar with him?"

Ji Xun: "He came to me and spoke disrespectfully to Your Highness in front of me. I accidentally broke his leg, and he went back."

He looked indifferent and casually said the word "accidentally", but anyone with eyes could see that he did it on purpose.

Yun Xi's mouth twitched slightly: "..."

It's not careless.

"What did he say?"

Ji Xun thought about it for a moment, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant. He said, "Some dirty words, I can't elaborate on them. I don't want to pollute your ears."

Yun Xi was silent for a moment, then suddenly understood what he meant. Ji Xun said it was an unpleasant word, so it must not be a normal swear word.

Based on her understanding of Xie Yange, it was most likely related to some unspeakable restricted plot.

虽然知道谢宴歌本身就是个爱找揍的人，这次肯定也是他先惹的纪珣，但她还是劝诫道：“下次注意挑地方，这里是谢府，被别人看见了不好。”

She took out her handkerchief and carefully wiped the dirt off the corner of his clothes, with her brows lowered.

"……Um."

Ji Xun could see the dark top of her head with a small whorl, and the snow-white flesh on her cheeks that bulged out when she lowered her head. Because the weather was a little hot, her cheeks were lightly pink, and the fine hairs on her face looked particularly soft.

Like a ripe, plump and juicy pear.

Ji Xun paused for a moment, then unconsciously looked away, looking at the lake not far away, and suddenly felt his throat a little dry.

If you count carefully, you will find that he has not had a sip of tea since he left home.

"Okay, now you can't see it."

Yun Xi raised her head and just saw his rolling Adam's apple. His face was tilted to the side, and his facial features were very superior.

Her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason, and she quickly averted her gaze, changing the subject: "Um... when you went to Baihua Garden, did you see Xie Zhao, the second son of the Xie family?"

Hearing this, Ji Xun suddenly frowned: "...I don't know him."

It's this person again.

This was the second time Yun Xi mentioned him today.

"He should look a lot like Xie Yange. I haven't seen him either." Yun Xi said, "I really want to see him. Which way is Baihua Garden? Lead the way."

Ji Xun paused, then asked calmly, "Your Highness, why did you meet him?"

Yun Xi: "Didn't I tell you before? He is now my future consort. Father asked me to meet him and get to know him better."

Although she didn't really want to go, she always had to be mentally prepared.

"What if Xie Zhao is not good-looking and takes off her veil on the wedding day and scares me?"

Yun Xi couldn't help but worry.

Impotence is a good thing, but at least he has to be good-looking. Xie Yange is exquisitely handsome, and his brother should not be much worse.

Yun Xi thought about it and walked forward along the stone path, but Ji Xun stood still, motionless. Yun Xi couldn't pull him and looked back in confusion.

His eyes, like thick ink, were as deep as black holes, and there was a hint of coldness in the dead silence. His fingertips, hidden under his sleeves, were slightly curled up and clasped behind his back. After a moment of silence, he opened his thin lips and asked in a flat tone:

"So, Your Highness agrees to this marriage?"